MX2

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 27 February 2022 – The opening round of the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship has concluded with Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder securing the overall victories at the MXGP of Great Britain.

Once again, the riders were treated to sunny blue skies and a technical track that put them all to the test with the overall outcome offering some close race action.

It was a near-perfect day for Gajser who secured his first Grand Prix win in Matterley Basin for the first time since 2016 and now heads into round two with the red plate back on his CRF450R.  

Meanwhile Simon Längenfelder continued his ‘fairy tale’ weekend by winning his first ever MX2 race, claiming his first Grand Prix victory and leaving Great Britain with the red plate!

In MXGP race one, it was Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who grabbed the first Fox Holeshot of the season ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer and Glenn Coldenhoff.

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser got squeezed in the start and was around ninth on the opening lap, as Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez crashed.

Prado led Seewer, Coldenhoff and Alberto Forato of SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery, as Maxime Renaux of Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing got by Gajser for fifth and set his sights on Forato, as F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Jed Beaton was right there in the mix behind Gajser. The Aussie eventually finished the race in fifth position.

Seewer then picked up the pace, setting the fastest lap of the race which allowed him within striking distance of Prado. And he did just that, to take over the lead.

Renaux took fifth from Forato and Gajser followed into suit, to remain close to the Yamaha rider.

We then saw Fernandez come into pitlane, before heading back on track again. A few laps later the Spaniard retired from the race.

Gajser then went purple in sectors one and three and was all over Renaux. Meanwhile Renaux was busy battling his teammate Coldenhoff, which allowed the Slovenian to close in further.

Gajser then launched an attack onto Renaux, and then passed Coldenhoff too, to move into third position. It didn’t take long for the Honda rider to also catch Prado and slip into second position.

With 12 minutes to go Seewer had a 2.325 second advantage, but that was brought down rapidly by a hard charging Gajser. We then witnessed an intense battle between the pair, which lasted seven laps, until Seewer went down with just two laps to go. This gave Gajser a clear path to take the first MXGP race win of 2022.

Seewer managed to get going quickly and secure second place, while Renaux finished third ahead of Prado and Beaton.

Home hero Ben Watson of Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP finished the race in 11^th place.

In race two, it was again Prado with the Fox Holeshot ahead of Coldenhoff and Seewer, Fernandez and Gajser. Alessandro Lupino of Beta SDM Corse MX Team went out of the race early on, similar to race one.

Prado was looking to waste no time at making a run for it, as he extended his lead to over 3 seconds, while Beaton chased Fernandez for fifth.

Gajser meanwhile was making progress on Seewer for third and on lap three was ahead of the Swiss. A couple of laps later he also managed to get by Coldenhoff and then it was game on for the race win.

Gajser was flying and managed to bring down Prado’s five second lead down to almost nothing in a matter of a couple of laps, with still more than 10 minutes on the clock. He took chunks of time out of the Spaniard until finally on lap 11 he made the pass stick.

But the Slovenian’s lead lasted just a lap as he went down with three laps to go. This was the perfect opportunity for Prado who was keen on getting his first race win of 2022.

Despite Gajser’s best efforts, Prado was able to stay in front and win the race by just 0.500 of a second! Coldenhoff also held of his teammate Seewer, with Fernandez crossing the line in fifth followed by Renaux and Beaton.

With a win and a second, Gajser took to the top step of the podium and now leads the MXGP Championships standings, with Prado second with 43 points and Seewer third with 40.

Tim Gajser: “I just leaned the bike too much and touched the ground with the rear brake, so I went down, and it was a weird crash but anyway I have to be happy. The speed was there, though I didn’t have good starts in both races and that meant I had to work even more for it but I’m happy with my speed and to start the season in this way but it’s one of 20 and still plenty of racing to go. I am looking for to Mantova”.

Jorge Prado: “Today was a great day. To start the season on the podium was perfect. First race I felt a bit rusty, and I knew I would be better in the second race. I took a good start and I had a good pace but Tim was kind of flying, so he passed me, he made a small mistake so I knew that this was my chance and I could not throw it away, I pushed as hard as possible, he was still there on my rear wheel but I won. I am really happy and couldn’t ask for more”.

Jeremy Seewer: “A really positive day, I have never started the season with a podium so that’s pretty good and it shows I’m ready. I’m super happy, except about the first race. I thought I had it in the pocket but I lost the front a bit and my legs weren’t long enough to hold myself but that’s racing, I’m on the podium and I’m ready for more. I feel really good, I’m healthy, I’m fit, I’m happy with the team around me so all positive”.

Main Photo: Tim Gajser

Bottom Photos: 1. Jorge Prado 2. Jeremy Seewer

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 36:11.051; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:03.709; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:07.930; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:08.565; 5. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:25.092; 6. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:28.175; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:32.777; 8. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, KTM), +0:34.792; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:36.969; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:38.094;

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), 35:58.064; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:00.500; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:16.023; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:17.473; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:29.326; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:40.163; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:44.563; 8. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:47.047; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:48.809; 10. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, KTM), +0:50.019;

MXGP - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 47 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 43 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 35 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 32 p.; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 30 p.; 7. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 28 p.; 8. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 23 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 23 p.;

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 47 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 43 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 35 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 32 p.; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, KAW), 30 p.; 7. Alberto Forato (ITA, GAS), 28 p.; 8. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 23 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, HUS), 23 p.;

MXGP - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Honda, 47 points; 2. GASGAS, 43 p.; 3. Yamaha, 42 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 30 p.; 5. KTM, 24 p.; 6. Husqvarna, 23 p.; 7. Beta, 23 p.;

It was Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder who took the Fox Holeshot ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Kay De Wolf and F&H Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Horgmo.

Team Ship to Cycle Honda rider Stephen Rubini was also looking strong as he was pushing Horgmo for fourth, though was caught out by Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts.

Horgmo then went by De Wolf, as the Dutchman looked to respond. And just when Geerts was looking to be moving forward he crashed and re-joined down in ninth.

Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee’s Isak Gifting was also in the mix as he started to get pressured by Roan Van De Moosdijk of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing and Big Ban World MTX Kawasaki Racing’s Mikkel Haarup. Gifting crashed now too long after.

Horgmo then dropped from third to fifth after making a mistake and going down, while Längenfelder set the fastest lap of the race and was getting comfortable in the lead.

Further down the field Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini was battling with fellow countryman Andrea Adamo from SM Action Racing Team YUASA Battery. Adamo was able to keep him behind and actually moved forward to pass Haarup, who crashed.

Längenfelder remained the fastest rider on track as he pushed forward and extended his lead over Vialle to 7.618. De Wolf was also looking fast as he started to get closer to Vialle, but in the end it was Längenfelder who won his first ever MX2 race ahead of Vialle, De Wolf, Geerts, Rubini, Moosdijk, Horgmo, Haarup, Adamo and Hakon Fredriksen of Honda 114 Motorsports who was making his debut in MX2.

In race two, we saw Längenfelder put his GasGas machine out in front once again as he claimed the second Fox Holeshot of the day. He was followed by Vialle, Horgmo, Geerts, Van de Moosdijk and Gifting.

A few laps later, Längenfelder made a mistake which allowed Vialle to move closer and not long after, the pair were side-by-side, with Vialle finally making a move for the lead. Vialle then put his head down and clocked the fastest lap of the race. And he followed that up on the next lap too.

All was looking good for the Frenchman as he was on track for the race win and overall victory, but a crash jeopardised that. He did however pick himself up quickly to re-join the race in second.

Meanwhile Geerts was ahead on Horgmo, with the Kawasaki rider also being chased down by Van de Moosdijk. Horgmo got cross-rutted and went down and out of fourth place.

Geerts then set the fastest lap of the race as he looked to catch Vialle. At that point Vialle was also within touching distance of Längenfelder. The battle between the German and the Frenchman carried on for a few laps, with Vialle trying the same inside line on the wave section several times.

It looked like Vialle had a chance to go for the win but then crashed again which allowed Geerts through. Geerts then sought his own opportunity for a win but was unable to get it done and Längenfelder went on to win the race, the Grand Prix and claim the red plate.

Second was Geerts, followed by Vialle, Van de Moosdijk, De Wolf, Gifting, Haarup, Guadagnini, Horgmo and Rubini.

Längenfelder will head to round two in Mantova with the red plate, as Vialle and Geerts sit second and third in the standings.

Simon Längenfelder: “I didn’t expect it. I was coming into this weekend trying to do my best and didn’t think about any positions but then in the qualifying race I felt good and had a good start. The riding was really good for me and also, I felt really good on the bike, so then today I had two really good starts, in the second race it was really tough to fight with Tom and Jago, they were really fast, and I was just trying to look forward. I’m really happy now to go home with the red plate”.

Tom Vialle: “I started good in race two and passed Simon early on in the race but then I made a small mistake and went down. I didn’t loose so much time and I could catch Simon again, but it was difficult to pass. I really pushed on the last lap but had a small crash just at the end. I really wanted to win but I will be ready for Mantova next week”.

Jago Geerts: “I’m really happy to be on the podium at the first race of the year. The last two weeks were really hard because I had surgery on my arms, so I only rode Thursday again in the sand. It was a difficult beginning to the weekend but I’m really happy to be on the podium and now I will train and be ready for Mantova”.

Main Photo: Simon Längenfelder 

Bottom Photos: 1. Tom Vialle 2. Jago Geerts

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), 36:14.575; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:04.402; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:05.020; 4. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:10.001; 5. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:11.543; 6. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:21.947; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:23.043; 8. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:36.225; 9. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:38.925; 10. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Honda), +0:55.102;

MX2 - Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), 35:59.827; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:02.015; 3. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:14.914; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:24.987; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:30.252; 6. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:33.095; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:33.915; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:36.205; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:37.072; 10. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:46.963;

MX2 - GP Top 10 Classification: 1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 50 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 36 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, HUS), 33 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 27 p.; 7. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 27 p.; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 26 p.; 9. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 22 p.;

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GAS), 50 points; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 36 p.; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, HUS), 33 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 27 p.; 7. Stephen Rubini (FRA, HON), 27 p.; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KAW), 26 p.; 9. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GAS), 22 p.;

MX2 - Manufacturers Classification: 1. GASGAS, 50 points; 2. KTM, 42 p.; 3. Yamaha, 40 p.; 4. Husqvarna, 38 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 28 p.; 6. Honda, 27 p.;

Next up the FIM Motocross World Championship heads to Mantova for the MXGP of Lombardia!

All the photos from the MXGP of Great Britain will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 2120m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 8° C

Weather conditions: Sunny and clear skies

Weekend Crowd attendance: 34,000

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP of Great Britain

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 27 February 2022 – The opening rounds of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing and EMX Open categories have concluded with overall victories from Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Cas Valk and Michael Sandner of Raths Motorsports.

The European Championship riders were treated to two days of perfect conditions which made for some great racing that featured plenty of excitement and close battles.

In Saturday’s EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing heat it was Karlis Alberts Reisulis of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC who grabbed the holeshot from Julius Mikula, Alexis Fueri of Fantic Factory Team Maddii and Elias Escandell of RFME GASGAS MX Junior Team.

A couple of corners later the running order was a little different with K. Reisulis still in the lead as Brit Joe Brookes moved into third and Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC’s Ivano Van Erp into fourth.

Van Erp then took third from Brookes, as Ferruccio Zanchi of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC was making his way up the order but made a mistake and was off the track as he looked to get around Cas Valk of Fantic Factory Racing Maddii.

K. Reisulis then led Van Erp by 6.629 seconds after the Dutchman passed Maximilian Werner from KTM Kosak Team. But it was Valk who was pushing hard as he set the fastest lap of the race and moved himself into third, pushing Werner further down the order.

Brookes was looking strong in the opening stages of the race but then went out of the race after a crash. The Brit rode into pitlane holding his shoulder.

Janis Martins Reisulis was also having a good ride in fifth and eventually finished in third. But his brother Alberts crashed hard out of the lead and re-joined just ahead of Zanchi. Clearly shaken by the crash, K. Reisulis lost the position to Zanchi who became the new race leader on lap eight.

3 laps from the end there was another shake up as K. Reisulis crashed big again and did not re-join the race. Zanchi went on to claim the first race win of the season ahead of Valk, J. Reisulis, Fueri and Escandell.

Doing it for the girls in the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class was Lotte Van Drunen who made the move up to the 125cc bike for the 2022 season. She placed in a strong 30^th place.

In race two, it was Fueri with the holeshot ahead of Marc-Antoine Rossi of Tech 32, Escandell and Van Erp. Van Erp was quick to make moves and got himself into second by the end of the opening lap.

Race 1 winner Zanchi was also making his way up the order as he sat in seventh behind Antonio Gallego of RFME GASGAS MX Junior Team.

Fueri was doing a great job of keeping Van Erp at bay, as the Yamaha rider went off the track but managed to keep his position.

J. Reisulis was doing great again in the second heat as he was fifth ahead of Zanchi and Valk who were closing in.

Van Erp then set the fastest lap of the race as he closed the gap down from the leader and it didn’t take him long to get by Fueri and move into first place. Rossi then started to apply the pressure onto Fueri too and moments later squeezed down the inside to take second.

Meanwhile Valk continued his charge to the front as he had both J. Reisulis and Fueri well in his sights.

While Fueri looked like he was on his way to a potential podium finish, disaster struck as the Italian went down hard. It took him a couple of minutes to get back on the bike, but he did and rode back to pitlane to DNF the second race.

Rossi then crashed out of second position as he chased Van Erp and a lap later Van Erp crashed himself. This meant that Fueri was the new race leader.

In the final laps we witnessed an intense lap between Fueri and Valk, as Valk pushed his teammate for the win. In the end he was able to make a pass stick to secure the race win and the overall victory. Fueri was second, Rossi third and J. Reisulis was fourth ahead of Escandell. Van Erp eventually came back to sixth.

Valk was the overall winner, with Fueri joining him on the podium on the second step and J. Reisulis making his first ever podium appearance in EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing.

The next round of the EXM125 Presented by FMF Racing will take place in Pietramurata on the 9^th/10^th of April for the round of Trentino.

Cas Valk: “Perfect weekend, not the best starts but the riding was super good. I enjoyed the track all weekend, it was really difficult, especially yesterday with a lot of arm pump but I kept pushing in the second race, made some little mistakes but I had some nice battles, also with my teammate so it was a good weekend for me, and I am super happy”.

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Yamaha), 30:56.171; 2. Cas Valk (NED, Fantic), +0:05.565; 3. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, KTM), +0:14.469; 4. Alexis Fueri (FRA, Fantic), +0:22.945; 5. Elias Escandell (ESP, GASGAS), +0:25.611; 6. Matteo Luigi Russi (ITA, KTM), +0:36.658; 7. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), +0:41.384; 8. Charlie Heyman (GBR, KTM), +1:00.537; 9. Adrien Petit (FRA, Yamaha), +1:07.584; 10. Maximilian Ernecker (AUT, Husqvarna), +1:18.507;

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Cas Valk (NED, Fantic), 30:41.349; 2. Alexis Fueri (FRA, Fantic), +0:01.089; 3. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), +0:01.609; 4. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, KTM), +0:02.553; 5. Elias Escandell (ESP, GASGAS), +0:03.359; 6. Ivano Van Erp (NED, Yamaha), +0:05.909; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:31.084; 8. Julius Mikula (CZE, KTM), +0:38.568; 9. Charlie Heyman (GBR, KTM), +0:48.670; 10. Antonio Gallego (ESP, GASGAS), +0:53.378;

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Cas Valk (NED, FAN), 47 points; 2. Alexis Fueri (FRA, FAN), 40 p.; 3. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Elias Escandell (ESP, GAS), 32 p.; 6. Charlie Heyman (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 7. Matteo Luigi Russi (ITA, KTM), 25 p.; 8. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Maximilian Ernecker (AUT, HUS), 20 p.; 10. Ivano Van Erp (NED, YAM), 15 p.;

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing – Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Cas Valk (NED, FAN), 47 points; 2. Alexis Fueri (FRA, FAN), 40 p.; 3. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Elias Escandell (ESP, GAS), 32 p.; 6. Charlie Heyman (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 7. Matteo Luigi Russi (ITA, KTM), 25 p.; 8. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Maximilian Ernecker (AUT, HUS), 20 p.; 10. Ivano Van Erp (NED, YAM), 15 p.;

EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing - Manufacturers Classification: 1. Fantic, 47 points; 2. Yamaha, 40 p.; 3. KTM, 40 p.; 4. GASGAS, 32 p.; 5. Husqvarna, 20 p.;

Main Photo: EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Cas Valk; 2. EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing Podium

During the first EMX Open race, it was Jose Butron who took the holeshot ahead of Davide De Bortoli, Michael Ivanov, Raf Meuwissen of Raths Motorsports and Dan Thornhill.

Ivanov then passed De Bortoli, as Butron extended his lead to 3.053 seconds. Multi-time EMX2t Champion Brad Anderson was running well in 11^th as he made a wildcard appearance in the EMX Open class for the British round.

Butron continued to chip away at the lead as he extended the advantage to 5.147 seconds, as Brit Tom Grimshaw of Chambers Racing got by his fellow Anderson to take his spot in 11^th.  

Michael Sandner of Raths Motorsports then made his way up the order and eventually passed De Bortoli for third. Meanwhile Anderson was looking to respond and pass back Grimshaw. Ando managed to do just that and by the end of the race finished eighth.

Thornhill then closed in on Meuwissen but eventually dropped down to sixth where he finished the race, ahead of another Brit Liam Knight.

Butron went on to win the race ahead of Ivanov and Sandner. Meuwissen finished fourth ahead of De Bortoli and Thornhill.

In race two, it was Ivanov who took the holeshot ahead of Sandner and Knight. Race one winner, Butron, started outside the top 15.

It didn’t take long for Sander to get past Ivanov, as he moved into first position, all while Butron fought hard further down the field to have a chance of a podium finish.

Anderson and Grimshaw found themselves together once again as they battled for fifth and later the pair came under pressure from a hard charging Butron who was making his way through the field. Butron was actually the fastest rider on track despite being down in eighth, but that just showed how fast he was making progress.

Less than halfway through the second race we saw Anderson, Grimshaw and Butron locked in a battle for fifth. Grimshaw was trying his best to get around the #60 of Ando while also fending off Butron. Micha-Boy De Waal shortly joined the trio, applying even more pressure.

Butron first made the move on Grimshaw, as De Waal crashed out of eight to finish the race 10^th.

Meanwhile, De Bortoli struggled in the second race as he was just outside of the top 10 for most of the heat. Things then became worse as his bike began to smoke. He finished 12^th in the end.

Towards the closing stages of the race Anderson and Butron both got by Knight who was ahead of Meuwissen and then a few laps later Butron was able to get Anderson and Meuwissen, with the pass on the Raths Motorsports rider taking him from the third to the second spot on the podium.

In the end Sandner was able to keep Ivanov at bay for the entire race to win the second heat with a 2.199 second gap. Butron was third, Meuwissen fourth and Grimshaw got by Anderson for fifth.

A third and a win gave Sandner his first ever overall victory in the EMX Open category, as Butron took to the second step of the podium and Ivanov celebrated in third.

The next EMX Open round will take place in Pietramurata on the 9^th/10^th of April for the Round of Trentino.

Michael Sandner: “I’m really happy about my speed today. Yesterday I was struggling a little bit at the beginning of the race but today was really good”.

EMXOpen - Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 32:25.830; 2. Michael Ivanov (BUL, Husqvarna), +0:07.751; 3. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), +0:25.106; 4. Raf Meuwissen (NED, KTM), +0:31.982; 5. Davide De Bortoli (ITA, Honda), +0:33.542; 6. Daniel Thornhill (GBR, Yamaha), +0:34.817; 7. Liam Knight (GBR, KTM), +0:36.068; 8. Brad Anderson (GBR, Honda), +0:38.134; 9. Tom Grimshaw (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:40.610; 10. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), +1:04.275;

EMXOpen - Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), 31:56.997; 2. Michael Ivanov (BUL, Husqvarna), +0:02.199; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:17.606; 4. Raf Meuwissen (NED, KTM), +0:21.599; 5. Tom Grimshaw (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:23.026; 6. Brad Anderson (GBR, Honda), +0:26.195; 7. Liam Knight (GBR, KTM), +0:27.048; 8. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, GASGAS), +0:27.803; 9. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), +0:29.119; 10. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, GASGAS), +0:29.758;

EMXOpen - Overall Top 10 Classification: 1. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), 45 points; 2. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 45 p.; 3. Michael Ivanov (BUL, HUS), 44 p.; 4. Raf Meuwissen (NED, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Tom Grimshaw (GBR, HUS), 28 p.; 6. Brad Anderson (GBR, HON), 28 p.; 7. Liam Knight (GBR, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Davide De Bortoli (ITA, HON), 25 p.; 9. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, GAS), 23 p.; 10. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), 23 p.

EMXOpen - Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), 45 points; 2. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 45 p.; 3. Michael Ivanov (BUL, HUS), 44 p.; 4. Raf Meuwissen (NED, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Tom Grimshaw (GBR, HUS), 28 p.; 6. Brad Anderson (GBR, HON), 28 p.; 7. Liam Knight (GBR, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Davide De Bortoli (ITA, HON), 25 p.; 9. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, GAS), 23 p.; 10. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), 23 p.

EMXOpen - Manufacturers Classification: 1. KTM, 50 points; 2. Husqvarna, 44 p.; 3. Honda, 31 p.; 4. GASGAS, 23 p.; 5. Yamaha, 22 p.

Main Photo: EMXOPEN Start

Bottom Photos: 1. Michael Sandner; 2. Jose Butron

All the photos from the MXGP of Great Britain will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 2120m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 8° C

Weather conditions: Sunny

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 34,000

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM Europe

MXGP of Great Britain

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 26 February 2022 – The qualifying races have concluded the first day of action at the season opener of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Matterley Basin with two impressive riders from Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux and Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder.

The conditions were perfect here for the first day of the MXGP of Great Britain with fantastic track conditions, sunshine throughout and great support from the British crowd which was topped off with great races too.

Before heading into the qualifying races of MXGP and MX2, the European classes took to the track for their first races of the weekend.

In the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing class we witnessed some intense battles and big crashes, especially that of Karlis Alberts Reisulis of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC. The Latvian was leading much of the race and was looking in control until a big off caused him to lose a lot of valuable time that he had against his opponents. Eventually Ferruccio Zanchi also of Yamaha Europe EMX125 MJC was able to make a pass stick and take over the lead. Reisulis tried to fight back but had another big crash and did not finish the race. Zanchi went on to claim the first victory of the season.

Meanwhile in EMX Open, former Grand Prix rider Jose Butron put on an incredible performance as he took the win ahead of Michael Ivanov and Michael Sandner. The defending champion, Davide De Bortoli finished down in fifth ahead of Brits Dan Thornhill, Liam Knight, Brad Anderson and Tom Grimshaw, who had some nice battles up until the end of the race.  

In the MXGP qualifying race, it was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer with the holeshot but his new teammate and MXGP rookie, Maxime Renaux, was able to slip past and take over the lead. Team HRC’s Tim Gajser move into second too, with Seewer leading his other teammate, Glenn Coldenhoff.

Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado was able to find a way past Coldenhoff to move into fourth. Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez was also running well just behind the #292.

Much of the qualifying race was a battle between Renaux and Gajser, with the Slovenian making several attempts to get by the young Frenchman. But his attempts never came to fruition as Renaux was able to hold off the four-time world champion.

While things seemed to be going well for one rookie, it was not the same for another one as Mathys Boisrame who was filling in for the injured Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing had a big crash in the qualifying race and did not finish the session. There is no update yet whether he will start the races tomorrow.

As the race progressed, it looked like Prado was within striking distance of Seewer, but the Yamaha rider was quick to respond, and Prado lost ground.

With two laps to go, Gajser was still not giving up on Renaux, as Fernandez was able to get by Coldenhoff for fifth place.

In the end, Renaux went on to win his first ever qualifying race in MXGP, with Gajser second, Seewer third, Prado fourth and Fernandez rounding out the top five.

Maxime Renaux: “It’s really good to start my MXGP rookie season like that. I managed to lead all the laps of the race even with Tim behind me pushing hard to catch me. I tried to manage the lead and don’t make any mistakes. I wasn’t expecting to do so good but I knew I had good potential, I wasn’t really sure about the start because the 450 is a new bike so I didn’t know what to expect from the starts. I feel confident even with the power increase and for sure tomorrow will be really important to make a good start, get the front row and make the same thing I did today”.

Main Photo: Maxime Renaux

Bottom Photos: 1. MXGP Start 2. Tim Gajser

MXGP - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), 26:32.552; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:01.473; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:04.516; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:25.089; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:35.281; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:39.687; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:40.771; 8. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:41.665; 9. Jed Beaton (AUS, Kawasaki), +0:43.124; 10. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:49.963;

In the MX2 qualifying race it was Simon Längenfelder with the holeshot ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle and Kay De Wolf of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing.

While the majority of the field were clean into the first corner, unfortunately one of the riders that was caught out was Liam Everts of DIGA PROCROSS KTM Racing. He did not continue with the race.

Längenfelder continued to control the field, as Vialle was looking to get by De Wolf for second. Further down the field was Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts and Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Roan Van de Moosdijk, who was making his debut on Husqvarna inside the top five.

Geerts then set the fastest lap of the race as Längenfelder started to get comfortable in the lead. De Wolf then crashed out of second and dropped down to fifth. He quickly started to come under pressure from Andrea Adamo of SM Action GasGas YUASA Battery, but was able to hold the position.

Längenfelder went on to win his first ever MX2 qualifying race with a 2.555 second advantage over Vialle and Geerts. Moosdijk finished fourth and De Wolf fifth.

Simon Längenfelder: “I had a really good start and after I managed to lead every single lap of the race. I did only a small mistake that you could see from MXGP-TV, but despite that I managed to do all properly. Being in the De Carli team is a big change for me also moving to Italy but I have to say that having so many great people around me in the team is amazing and I’m so happy to be in this team”.

Conrad Mewse: “It was a difficult and steady qualifying for me because I didn’t have a good start and I couldn’t do the passes that I wanted in the first lap. I had some problems with my goggle lens with the sun. In the end I managed to finish 8th that is not so bad, and I will try to keep some energy for tomorrow. Starting from the 8th gate is good for me and tomorrow for sure I’ll go for two solid starts and be there with the guys in front”.

Main Photo: Simon Längenfelder

Bottom Photos: 1. Jago Geerts 2. Tom Vialle

MX2 - Qualifying Race – Top 10 Classification: 1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, GASGAS), 26:35.758; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:02.555; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:12.684; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Husqvarna), +0:21.277; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:22.368; 6. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:24.493; 7. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Honda), +0:29.671; 8. Conrad Mewse (GBR, KTM), +0:34.613; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +0:35.989; 10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:42.258;

With a great first day of racing, it’s all looking even better for tomorrow as we look forward to the second EMX races and the main action from MXGP and MX2 as we will see the first podiums of the 2022 season.

All the photos from the MXGP of Great Britain will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF GREAT BRITAIN QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 2120m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 10° C

Weather conditions: Sunny

TIMETABLE (Local Timing GMT)

SUNDAY: 08:45 EMX Open Race 2, 09:25 MX2 Warm-up, 09:45 MXGP Warm-up, 10:30 EMX125 Race 2, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Great Britain

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 26 February 2022 – The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) together with Infront Moto Racing announce that due to the current situation, it is not possible to hold the MXGP of MFR set to take place on 30th April / 1st May in Orlyonok.

The local Organizer has been informed.

The entire MXGP Collective thoughts are with the people suffering the consequences of the present situation.

A replacement Grand Prix will be announced shortly.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MATTERLEY BASIN (Great Britain) 25 February 2022 – MXGP is ready for race action, following a day full of media activities that welcomed the start of the 2022 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Matterley Basin for the MXGP of Great Britain.

Today’s activities started the Opening Press Conferences where Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela and the Organiser of the MXGP of Great Britain Steve Dixon welcomed everybody to Matterley Basin. The press conference started with a video showing some of the best moments from the historic 2021 season and also looked at some of the statistics of the previous year, showcasing the success of MXGP on social media, the increase of TV coverage and the numbers reached with the MXGP Magazine as well as MXGP.com and MXGP-TV!

Infront Moto Racing CEO, David Luongo: "Welcome everybody to the opening Press Conference of the 2022 MXGP season, we are all very happy to eventually be in Matterley Basin with a sunny weekend. Looking back, the end of last season that was really intense and impressive for everybody with an epic ending in Mantova. Despite those times that were really challenging we managed to deliver two strong seasons in 2020 and in 2021 and also having the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations back was a really great experience. With the help of TV and social media we were able to cover everything and show those amazing championship worldwide. Finally, we’ll be back with a full calendar including overseas like Argentina, Indonesia and the USA with the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations that will take place in RedBud and this was our biggest goal as promoter, as well as to be able to welcome back the full crowd as we used to do. Despite the difficulties we are able to start the season here this weekend and I want to thank the FIM and Steve Dixon with all his crew that made this event possible and I wish a great 2022 season to all of the riders and all the people in the paddock.”

FIM/CMS Director, Antonio Alia Portela: “It is with great pleasure that we, at the FIM, are looking forward to really kicking off the 2022 season because this is what has brought us all here to Matterley Basin. First of all, I am happy to see that the paddock collective have withstood the storm Eunice in spite of the damage that it has caused. I’m very thankful to Steve Dixon and his crew for all the work that has been carried out to present a venue in perfect racing conditions. Secondly, I would also like to thank Infront Motor Racing and in particular David Luongo, for the hard work they have put into providing a solid calendar for this season and giving us all the opportunity to return to places like Argentina or Indonesia and the USA for the MXoN. Finally, I would also take the opportunity, on behalf of the FIM, to wish all the riders and teams all the best for the season. Thank you very much”.

MXGP of Great Britain Organiser, Steve Dixon: “Thanks again to everyone for coming back to England this weekend. As a team owner I know how hard it was for everyone last week. Together with Infront Moto Racing and the FIM it was a tough decision to postpone the event. It would have been devastating to not have this chance and I am blessed to have the opportunity to run it again because it takes so much adrenaline from everyone to hold this race and as everyone knows it’s my passion as well. This week has been unbelievably tough, the FIM and Infront Moto Racing have been fantastic in supporting me and that’s enabled us to come to this. Pre-sales have been good, and we look forward to a good crowd. Like everyone said it’s a nice calendar, it’s nice to start travelling again, I hope you have a nice race and enjoy the British sun this weekend”.

The opening press conference then continued with a special riders conference featuring Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP’s Maxime Renaux, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP’s Ben Watson, along with the MX2 championship contenders Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MX2’s Jago Geerts, as well as Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Mattia Guadagnini and Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2’s Roan Van De Moosdijk. 

Following the press conference, the usual FIM briefing took place with the Team Managers of the world championship teams, to go through the rules and regulations for the upcoming season.

The day concluded with a special edition of the Studio Show with MXGP’s Paul Malin and Lisa Leyland along with an impressive 13 guests, which included Maxime Renaux, Tim Gajser, Jago Geerts, Tom Vialle, Jorge Prado, Mattia Guadagnini, Glenn Coldenhoff, Kay De Wolf, Brian Bogers, Jed Beaton, Ruben Fernandez, Ben Watson and Conrad Mewse. The Studio Show was broadcasted on MXGP-TV.com and MXGP’s YouTube and Facebook channels. If you missed it, you can watch the replay HERE!

Now with the opening events done and dusted, it is time to focus on tomorrow’s qualifying races and the action from the EMX support classes as we begin another exciting season of racing!

Click HERE to watch the Welcome Press Conference while clicking HERE you can watch the Opening Press Conference featuring riders.

Main Photo: MXGP of Great Britain Organizer Steve Dixon; Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo; FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela 

Bottom Photo: Jago Geerts, Tom Vialle, Tim Gajser, Maxime Renaux, Ben Watson, Roan Van De Moosdijk, Mattia Guadagnini

TIMETABLE (Local Timing GMT)

SATURDAY: 08:55 EMX Open Free Practice, 09:20 EMX125 Free Practice, 09:50 MX2 Free Practice, 10:20 MXGP Free Practice, 11:10 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 11:45 EMX125 Qualifying Practice, 12:25 MX2 Time Practice, 13:00 MXGP Time Practice, 13:45 EMX Open Race 1, 14:30 EMX125 Race 1 15:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 16:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 08:45 EMX Open Race 2, 09:25 MX2 Warm-up, 09:45 MXGP Warm-up, 10:30 EMX125 Race 2, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

MXGP of Great Britain

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 24 February 2022 – Infront Moto Racing is proud to announce that Polisport and MXGP have reinforced their parentship for a further three years that will see the brand part of the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons.

The company based in Portugal was founded in 1978 and is only a short distance from the host of the MXGP of Portugal in Agueda. One of their first products was plastic fenders for motorcycles, and this has been the foundation of the brand with Polisport being known for their high-quality after-market plastics for Off-Road Motorcycles. The high levels of quality and innovation also helped Polisport build a strong partnership with OEM, supplying first equipment plastics for many brands.

Their products include full replica plastic kits, headlights, handguards, body protectors, along with some of the most innovative accessories on the market.

Being a leader in their field, Polisport support some of the best teams in the paddock, including F&H Kawasaki Racing Team, DRT Racing Team, IXS Hostettler Yamaha MXGP Team, Team Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing, Team VRT KTM Veritise and Riley Racing.

Infront Moto Racing is delighted to continue this partnership that will see Polisport showcased across the world.

Check out the Polisport product range at www.polisport.com

Copyright Photo: Polisport

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Polisport